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Nigel O’Neil the CEO of hockingstuart has departed after 8½ years’ service.
The formal announcement came late Friday afternoon.
Queries on his departure by Property Observer were deflected during the pre-Christmas party season with the agency's Keep Left publicists issuing a denial from the hockingstuart corporate office.
"To their knowledge, Nigel O’Neil remains in the position as CEO of the network," Keep Left advised, preferring its own announcement timetable. 
The subsequently issued board statement noted Nigel has made a significant contribution to the business during that time having grown the network to be the leading brand in Victoria.  
"The business is significantly stronger due to the development of a solid franchise system and processes that lead the industry.
"He also developed and implemented a number of new business lines including a utility connections service, a finance offering and a strata management operation."  
The board wished Nigel all the best for the future.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Nigel O'Neil departs hockingstuart

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The trophy home at 3 Fulham Avenue in South Yarra has been listed for sale.
The grand <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-south+yarra-121728514" target="_blank">1900 Edwardian residence</a> sits on one of the largest land parcels in the Como Park precinct. 
Surrounded by 2240 sqm of established gardens, the house displays all the grandeur of the era it was built, with an imposing central reception hall, a library and a formal dining room, all accompanied by marble open fireplaces and high panelled ceilings.
The reception room with a built in bar leads out to the gardens, tennis court and the swimming pool which can be overlooked from the upper level terrace.
The accommodation wing has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. 
Expressions of interest close on February 23 with Marshall White agents Richard Mackinnon and Celeste Wright who are anticipating about $12 million. 
It last sold at $270,000 in 1977.
The avenue's last sale was in October 2015 when Hawthorn couple, Peter and Penny Inge spent $6.8 million on a 1160sqm corner holding.
Peter is the joint managing director of the Zig Inge Group which, before the sale of the business in 2007, was one of Australia’s largest and longest running retirement village businesses.
 
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Edwardian style trophy home listed in South Yarra

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GUEST OBSERVER
The RBA’s decision to leave the cash rate unchanged came as no surprise. 
Market pricing had implied very little chance of policy easing in February, largely because employment growth has lifted and the unemployment rate has been falling.      
The Governor’s Statement was the first commentary out of the RBA on the economy since mid‑December.  And it deviated from the usual carbon‑copy approach that was taken for most of the post‑meeting Statements over the second half of 2015.
In summary, the Bank appears a little less optimistic on the global economy and a touch more upbeat on the domestic economy.  Growth in the global economy is occurring at a “slightly lower pace than earlier expected”.  And financial markets have exhibited “heightened volatility recently” and “risk appetite has diminished”.   
On the domestic economy, the Governor notes that “expansion in the non‑mining parts of the economy strengthened during 2015 even as the contraction in spending in mining investment continued”.  
The Bank has acknowledged the marked improvement in the labour market.  Indeed, in December the Governor indicated that “stronger growth in employment” had been accompanied with a “steady rate of unemployment”.  This has now been replaced by a recognition that, “the unemployment rate declined in the second half of the year” even though the economy was growing below trend.  Critically, labour market developments will be the key input into near‑term policy direction (at least until the next read on inflation).  The Governor noted that, “new information should allow the Board to judge whether the recent improvement in labour market conditions is continuing”.  The Board will also assess whether, “the recent financial turbulence portends weaker global and domestic demand”. 
On inflation, the Governor acknowledged the impact that declining oil prices and some utilities have had on headline inflation.  But overall, consumer price inflation is expected to, “remain low over the next year or two”.  In December, inflation was “forecast to be consistent with the target over the next one to two years”. 
The Governor tweaked his commentary on the exchange rate, but the message remains the same. The AUD “continued its adjustment to the evolving economic outlook”. The AUD is currently 3.1% lower against the USD (1.8% lower on TWI basis) than it was when the RBA Board last met in December.  So monetary conditions have further eased. 
THE OUTLOOK
Our views on the labour market and inflation underpin our expectations that the cash rate will stay at 2.0% in 2016.  Inflation should drift a little higher as exchange rate pass‑through continues, though we expect it to be at the bottom end of the RBA’s target band.  On the unemployment rate, we see enough evidence in the leading indicators of jobs growth to suggest that the unemployment rate peaked in 2014.  We expect it to grind a little lower over 2016.
Markets, however, are still likely to continue to price in the chance of further RBA policy easing even though we don’t expect another rate cut to materialise.  This essentially reflects the balance of risks in the global and domestic economy, coupled with the RBA’s conditional easing bias.
The single biggest risk to the global economy is a hard landing in China which would have a material negative impact on the Australian economy.   Domestically, the continued decline in mining investment, soft income growth and weak public demand pose the greatest headwinds on growth. 
Market attention now quickly turns to the February Statement on Monetary Policy (SMP), published on Friday. In our view, the RBA is likely to leave its growth forecasts unchanged.  Near‑term headline inflation forecasts are likely to be downwardly revised due to lower oil prices.  But underlying forecasts should be left unchanged.  We expect the RBA’s unemployment rate forecasts to be revised down. 
Gareth Aird is economist at Commonwealth Bank and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/gareth-aird/14/790/905" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
 
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Domestic headwinds and any hard landing in China to determine RBA call: CBA's Gareth Aird

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GUEST OBSERVER
Here's the five numbers you need to know following the RBA’s decision to keep interest rates on hold at their first meeting for 2016.
10  
Tuesday’s outcome to leave rates on hold will see the cash rate at a record low of 2% for 10 consecutive months after the RBA’s last cut in May 2015.
3.89%
The lowest variable rate for owner-occupiers right now is 3.89% from Mortgage Simple. If your current rate isn’t as competitive as the rates offered by other lenders, it might be time to consider refinancing your home loan.
$42,467 
This is how much interest you could save by switching from a home loan with the average variable rate of 4.73% to the top variable rate on the market on a typical $300,000 loan over 25 years.
27
The number of basis points, on average, that lenders decreased 3 year fixed rates by in January. With plenty of competitive fixed rates on the market, fixing at least a portion of your home loan could be a good idea. 
6
This is how many lenders have reduced the rate premium for investors last month after the latest RBA lending figures showed investor mortgage balances grew within APRA’s capital regulations.
 
Kirsty Lamont is marketing director of <a href="https://mozo.com.au/" target="_blank">Mozo</a>.
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Mozo's five need-to-know numbers after the first RBA meeting for 2016: Kirsty Lamont

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If you pick up a newspaper these days, you had better have some Xanax handy. The headlines from China can be pretty scary.
But the truth is, the situation is more mixed than most fear-mongers would have you believe.
If you wear a miner's light on your hard hat when you go to work in the morning, then, sure, you have a right to worry that China's industrial economy could slow further.
But if you work or invest in real estate, or for that matter in the fields of education or tourism, you can rest easy.
You see, China has at least two different economies. The old industrial economy is slowing and being cleaned up. Even as the government moves to shut down polluting, outdated factories, consumer demand is booming, which means more buyers for Australian property, as well as for our tourism and education.
China doesn't rely solely on industry any more than Australia relies solely on mining. Industry only accounts for about 35% of GDP, but services account for more than half.
Credit Suisse sent me an interesting chart last week. It showed that China is importing about 20 percent less machinery and commodities like coal, but spending 80 percent more on international tourism. This is reflected in the fact that more than one million Chinese tourists came to spend their cash in Australia last year, the most ever.
Australia's educational sector is our number one export, after coal, iron ore and natural gas. Chinese outnumber all other foreign students in university, English-language, secondary and nonaward classes.
This is the same scenario we are seeing in real estate. With Chinese developers committed to billions of dollars of residential new construction in Australia, and Chinese buyers purchasing off-the-plan in large numbers, Australia finally has something it has been missing for decades: money to build.
Awe have spent years in a housing affordability crisis, but Chinese capital is finally making it possible to construct enough new homes to meet market demand.
In the past decade, China supported Australia's economy by funneling huge amounts of cash into our mining industry. In the coming decade, it looks like it will do so via real estate, education and tourism.
It's no coincidence that the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb now offers a sky-high karaoke option for Chinese tourists.
Here's something that will make that shift sweeter: tourism, education and construction keep more than 2 million people working in this country, while mining just provides jobs for fewer than 200,000.
China's current expansion won't last forever, but experts like UBS global CEO Sergio Ermotti believe the rise of the Chinese consumer could last as long as did the commodities boom we just lived through.
Even at a pessimistic growth rate of 6.5 percent, China's economy will double in size by 2032.
Andrew Taylor is the founder and chief executive officer of sales and marketing at <a href="https://www.juwai.com/" target="_blank">Juwai.com</a>, the number-one Chinese real estate portal for property in Australia and around the world. Find out more about him <a href="https://list.juwai.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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The bad news from China is good for property: Juwai's Andrew Taylor

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The prime Barangaroo harburside location of the current dining sensation, Noma Australia pop-up has already been leased to award-winning restaurateur, Brent Savage, the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2015 Chef of the Year, and the sommelier and restaurateur Nick Hildebrandt.
They have signed a lease for the space for a yet-to-be-named seafood restaurant that will open in September at the base of the white, cloud-shaped Anadara building in the Lend Lease built precinct.
The building was designed by FJMT’s Richard Francis-Jones.
‘‘We’ve long toyed with the idea of a seafood-focused restaurant,’’ Savage told The Australian Financial Review.
Barangaroo is credited as set to have the biggest collection of food and beverage retailers in Australia, according Lendlease.
There will be a three storey restaurant headed by celebrity chef Matt Moran whispered to have the working title, Mash.
Gary Horwitz, the head of retail development and asset management for Lendlease, said Sydney-siders are very familiar with their restaurants, Bentley, Monopole and Yellow.
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Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt to take on Noma, Barangaroo space

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GUEST OBSERVER
The rotation in economic activity towards the non-mining states is continuing, while conditions in mining states have become more challenging as commodity prices have fallen further.
• In terms of domestic demand, NSW and Victoria will be the most solid performers, with growth gradually improving. 
Both will receive less impetus from housing activity and prices in FY 2016-17. 
Notwithstanding this, our central case remains for solid (though unspectacular) employment growth and lower petrol prices to sufficiently support household incomes and consumption (despite ongoing subdued wages growth). 
• The AUD is acting as a stabiliser, although the troubled global backdrop presents downside risk to all states and territories. 
Further depreciation of the AUD to USD66c will continue to improve the competitiveness of export-oriented and import-competing firms to varying degrees. 
This will be particularly helpful for services sectors, including those benefiting from tourism and international student arrivals such as hospitality, retail and education. 
States for which tourism-related activity makes up a large proportion of the economy such as Tasmania and Queensland will be particularly supported. 
Tourism and education are also bright spots for NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the NT. 
While not our core view, a sharper global slowdown could lower demand for travel to Australia, education exports and Australian property, particularly if the household sectors in China and East Asia come under stress. 
Queensland and the Northern Territory will outperform in terms of overall gross state product in coming years as LNG export volumes ramp up.
However the outlook for associated income and government revenue has deteriorated as commodity prices have dropped further, and any residual mining-related investment in the pipeline is unlikely to proceed. 
Western Australia is more advanced into the mining investment downturn, with broad-ranging effects to continue across the states’ economy in 2015-16, before LNG export volumes come through in subsequent years, but to a lesser extent than previously forecast. 
A restrained approach towards non-mining business investment is likely to persist across all states in coming years.
Recent equity market volatility and uncertainty about future taxation arrangements are likely to add to this air of caution, particularly given firms continue to demand a restrictively high rate of return on investment. 
 
• An overview of the outlook for each state and territory is in the attached document. Links to individual handbooks for each state and territory are available at the links below. 
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NSW_Jan16.pdf">New South Wales</a> will remain the standout in terms of domestic demand. Robust employment growth will be supportive of household spending, while business conditions and capacity utilisation remain elevated, particularly across services sectors. The challenge for NSW will be maintaining robust growth as momentum from the housing sector begins to fade through 2016.
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/VIC_Jan16.pdf">Victoria</a> will also continue to experience solid domestic demand growth, and is also well positioned to take advantage of the lower AUD in its tourism and education sectors. Strong employment growth will support consumer spending, although there will be less impetus from the housing sector through 2016. 
• In <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/QLD_Jan16.pdf">Queensland</a> , the sharp decline in mining investment will be offset by exports, although lower LNG and coal prices will reduce the export earnings, profitability and government revenue. Meanwhile, key tourist destinations are benefiting from the lower AUD (with interstate visitor arrivals particularly strong). Domestic demand growth is slowly improving. More attractive rental yields and housing affordability than in NSW and Victoria are driving dwelling investment in Brisbane.
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/WA_-Jan16.pdf">Western Australia</a> is well into the throes of the mining investment downturn, which is having a dramatic impact across many segments of the economy. Offsets from stronger mineral export volumes helped to prop up Gross State Product (GSP) growth in 2014-15, but big declines in state final demand have had a major impact on the state’s labour market and asset prices. These trends are expected to continue given the lack of momentum in non-mining sectors. A ramping-up in LNG exports in subsequent years should see growth lift, but by less than previously forecast.
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SA_Jan16.pdf">South Australia</a> continues to underperform, challenged by unfavourable demographics and the structural decline of its manufacturing base. Business conditions remain weak, with the retail sector and some improvement in tourism rare bright spots.
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TAS_Jan16.pdf">Tasmania</a> – while the outlook has improved over the last year, thanks in large part to a pick-up in business investment and strong domestic tourism, recent data suggest that the recovery may be losing a little steam. 
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ACT_Jan16.pdf">Australian Capital Territory</a> – the economy is gradually recovering from the recent fiscal tightening and public sector job cuts. The labour market has shown promising signs of improvement, and together with a modest pick up in population growth will support household consumption and dwelling investment. 
• <a href="https://business.nab.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NT_Jan16.pdf">Northern Territory</a> - Growth will remain strong in coming years as the Icthys LNG project commences export. Medium-term the economy will struggle to replace this source of income and employment, despite the lower AUD supporting tourism.
 
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A delicate re-balancing act: NAB's Alan Oster

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John Symond, executive chairman of Aussie Home Loans, says the RBA was unlikely to raise rates today particularly given the volatility of global equity markets.
I think central banks around the world will be very very careful in what they do with interest rates," he told Ross Greenwood's Money News radio program.
Ross Greenwood asked him whether the backdrop for banks to have more capital and restrict lending could mean higher rates, John Symond replied by saying that that's been the talk for probably the past three or four months.
"It would not surprise me if over the next few months that the banks creep up their lending rates, but I don't think they'll go through the roof."
"They may go up another 0.1 or 0.15 but at the moment I think consumers want every bit of help they can get to give them that bit of confidence."
The impact the RBA and the banking regulators limit in the growth the number of investment property loans had been significant when it came to on the hotter markets in Melbourne and Sydney last year.
"It has had a huge impact," Symond noted.
"I can tell you just from our own business that the amount of loans to investors has fallen significantly and has dampened the enthusiasm for investors to get in."
"It's not like investors are lining up and saying will you lend us some money, they've tended to fall away."
"The APRA moves to curtail investor lending has certainly been effective."
Ross Greenwood asked John Symond's point of view, despite his number of loans decreasing, whether he felt if it is a good thing so the prices didn't race out of control.
"I think all in all the market has accepted it in a pretty positive way and prices are continuing is levelling off," he said.
"I'm not one to not want price increases to be as sharp as they have been."
"The property market is levelling out and becoming a more healthy market."
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.2gb.com/audioplayer/151441" target="_blank">The full interview can be heard here.</a>
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Not through the roof, but John Symond thinks banks might raise rates

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ASIC has started legal action in the Federal Court of Australia against German construction group holding company Hochtief Aktiengesellschaft (Hochtief AG), seeking a declaration of contravention and a financial penalty order against the company for insider trading.
ASIC’s action centres on the early 2014 on-market acquisition of ordinary shares of Leighton Holdings Limited (now called CIMIC Group Limited) (ASX code: LEI) by Hochtief AG's subsidiary, Hochtief Australia Holdings Limited (HAHL).
ASIC alleges that Hochtief AG contravened the insider trading provisions of the Corporations Act by procuring HAHL to acquire LEI when, on, 29 January 2014, it varied previous instructions to acquire a large parcel of LEI (by pushing out the last day to purchase the shares from 31 January 2014 to 14 February 2014) while it was in possession of insider information, being that Leighton Holdings Limited's 2013 financial results were likely to be at the high end of previous earnings guidance.
Hochtief AG has admitted the alleged contravention. 
The proceedings will be listed for a directions hearing in the Federal Court in Sydney on a date to be advised.
Background
HAHL is ultimately owned and controlled by Hochtief AG which, in turn, has as its majority shareholder one of the world's leading construction companies, the Spanish company ACS Actividades de Construcción y Servicios S.A.
HAHL is operated by Hochtief AG as a vehicle to hold, acquire and dispose of securities and other financial products, including LEI, for Hochtief AG.
A Form 604 ‘Notice of Change of interests of substantial holder’ dated 5 February 2014 and filed with the ASX disclosed HAHL's relevant share acquisitions.
On 20 February 2014, Leighton reported its FY2013 Underlying NPAT was up 30% on FY12 to $584M, which was within guidance. The company also reported NPAT of $509M, which was up 13% on FY12.
On 19 February 2014, LEI closed at $16.41. On 20 February 2014, following the results announcement, LEI opened at $18.30 and traded as high as $18.40 and as low as $16.90 before closing at $17.21, or up 4.88% on the previous day’s close.
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ASIC pursues Hochtief AG over insider trading contravention

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Most Australian property markets saw modest growth in 2015, according to Residex.
Sydney was again the exception – given houses and units achieved annual growth of 18.36% and 13.48% respectively.
Melbourne houses also recorded strong annual growth of 13%.
Perth houses saw an unexpected surge of 2.30% in the month of December, while Adelaide, Hobart and ACT houses showed steady capital growth over the last 12 months.
"The end of 2015 marked the end of the Sydney housing boom," Residex advised.
The upswing in the current cycle lasted almost two years and, in real dollar terms, the median house increased by approximately $375,000.
Historically, Sydney has been the leader of growth with the Melbourne and Brisbane markets following.
Given this, the Melbourne house market could peak sometime in the first quarter of 2016 while Brisbane could follow later in the year. However, global economic trends and a national crackdown on speculative buying may hamper growth for these other east coast cities.
Table 1 shows the capital growth, rent and sales summary for December 2015.
Table 1: December 2015 Summary
<a href="/images/2016/02/02/Table_1_Capital_City_Summary.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/02/Table_1_Capital_City_Summary.jpg" alt="">
Source: Residex
Graph 1 shows the monthly capital growth trend of Sydney and Melbourne. The graph depicts Melbourne’s peak growth in houses following Sydney.
Graph 1: Monthly Capital Growth Trend: Sydney and Melbourne  
<a href="/images/2016/02/02/Graph_1_Monthly_Growth_Sydney_Melbourne.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/02/Graph_1_Monthly_Growth_Sydney_Melbourne.jpg" alt="">
Source: Residex
Residex suggested it was difficult to say what exacerbated the last upswing in Sydney and whether similar factors will impact other major dwelling markets.
"Many have speculated and reported anecdotes of Chinese foreign investment pushing up real estate values," Eliza Owen, the market analyst for Residex/Onthehouse.com.au said.
"There is currently no reliable dataset in existence that documents foreign investment in Australian residential real estate, so it is not rigorously sound to say that this contributed to the enormous value increases.
"In any case, the People’s Bank of China has placed restrictions upon citizens taking capital out of China to encourage investment within their own country (citizens are permitted to take just US$50,000 out of the country each year. This action could limit the growth experienced in other Australian cities.
"It is also not necessarily true to say that speculative domestic investment bid up the market.
"However, there is some evidence suggesting that investors became more active than owner occupiers in the latest housing boom."
The ABS collects data on the amount of money lent for the purposes of owner occupation versus investment. In recorded history, 2014 was the first time investor loans overtook owner occupier loans. Graph 2 presents this dataset over the last 5 years. It is worth noting that the figures in Graph 2 are for Australia wide lending, so the phenomena of investors overtaking owner occupiers may not be specific to the Sydney market.
Graph 2: Significant Lender’s Finance Commitments to Investors vs. Owner Occupiers
<a href="/images/2016/02/02/Graph_2_Investors_v_Owner_Occupiers.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/02/Graph_2_Investors_v_Owner_Occupiers.jpg" alt="">
Source: ABS Catalogue Number 5609.0 – Housing Finance, Australia Note: Excluded refinancing for owner occupiers
 
The graph suggests that either investors were paying more money for dwellings or investors were buying a higher volume of dwellings at this time.
Theoretically, investors who owned property in Sydney could have continued to bid up prices in the market while interest rates were low. The ability to borrow equity against property facilitates this – the higher property prices go, the more equity investors have to purchase new dwellings.
In July 2015, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced regulations<a href="https://blog.residex.com.au/2016/01/29/january-market-update/?utm_source=membersNewsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Cid=ResiJanNews16&amp;mc_cid=9124f9ec50&amp;mc_eid=1c64ff30b3#footnote-3">[3]</a> that would require lenders to hold more capital against home loans. By the beginning of July 2015, a downswing in the Sydney market had begun. Sydney house values fell 0.14% in the month of December, the first fall in the aggregate market since January 2014.
One of the criticisms of APRA’s decision was that it was not specific to the rapidly growing markets of Sydney and Melbourne.
However, of the 514,066 sales Residex recorded across Australia for 2015, approximately 20% were in the Sydney metropolitan region and a further 20% were concentrated in the Melbourne metropolitan.
"If anything, high home loan rates may have caused investors to spread their wealth among more affordable cities across the country."
Property developers Stockland and Mirvac have reported that there are Sydney buyers interested in Brisbane apartments.
Private developers have also recorded Sydney buyers making up as much as 40% of investment in new developments.
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Brisbane property set for price peak in late 2016: Residex

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

Jonathan Chancellor

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